Systems, methods, and apparatus to identify linear and non-linear media presentations

ABSTRACT

Systems, methods, and apparatus to identify linear and non-linear media presentations are disclosed. An example method to determine whether a media presentation is a linear or a non-linear media presentation comprises generating a reference log comprising a first media identifier of first media and a time at which the first media was presented, accessing a media presentation log comprising a second media identifier of second media and a time at which the second media was presented, and determining whether the second media correspond to a linear media presentation or a non-linear media presentation by comparing the media presentation log to the reference log.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This patent arises from a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser.No. 16/741,291, filed Jan. 13, 2020, which is a continuation of U.S.patent application Ser. No. 16/230,601, filed Dec. 21, 2018, which is acontinuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/603,065, filed May23, 2017, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.14/212,630, filed Mar. 14, 2014, which claims priority to U.S.Provisional Patent Application No. 61/791,481, filed Mar. 15, 2013, andto U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/922,749, filed Dec. 31,2013. The entireties of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/741,291,U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/230,601, U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 15/603,065, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/212,630, U.S.Provisional Patent Application No. 61/791,481, and U.S. ProvisionalPatent Application No. 61/922,749 are incorporated by reference herein.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

This disclosure relates generally to audience measurement, and, moreparticularly, to systems, methods, and apparatus to identify linear andnon-linear media presentations.

BACKGROUND

Linear television has been the model of television distribution in theUnited States since the 1940's. In a linear television model, abroadcaster schedules programs to air at specific times. Consumers canobtain guides, which could be paper or electronic, to determine whatprogram is being aired at a given time for a given source. Consumers cantime shift content from a linear distribution source in a number ofways. Consumer electronic devices like video cassette recorders (VCRs),digital video recorders (DVRs), and personal video recorders (PVRs)allow for the recording of a program at its scheduled time and playbackat a later time of choosing of the consumer.

The primary model for monetizing television content has been andcontinues to be via selling commercials using linear televisiondistribution. Today, that model still dominates with over 68 billiondollars being spent on advertising in linear television for 2011.However, media companies are now using non-linear techniques todistribute media, and are also monetizing such media with commercials.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is block diagram of an example system constructed in accordancewith the teachings of this disclosure to identify linear and/ornon-linear media presentations.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an example implementation of the examplelinear/non-linear media identifier of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an example reference log for a first media source that may begenerated by the example linear/non-linear media identifier and/or thesite meters of FIGS. 1 and/or 2.

FIG. 4 is an example reference log for a second media source that may begenerated by the example linear/non-linear media identifier and/or thesite meters of FIGS. 1 and/or 2.

FIG. 5 is an example media presentation log for a first mediapresentation device that may be generated by the examplelinear/non-linear media identifier, the site meters, and/or the mediapresentation devices of FIGS. 1 and/or 2.

FIG. 6 is an example media presentation log for a second mediapresentation device that may be generated by the examplelinear/non-linear media identifier, the site meters, and/or the mediapresentation devices of FIGS. 1 and/or 2.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart representative of example machine readableinstructions that may be performed by the example linear/non-linearmedia identifier of FIGS. 1 and/or 2 to identify linear and/ornon-linear media presentations.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart representative of example machine readableinstructions that may be performed by the example linear/non-linearmedia identifier, the site meters, and/or the log generator of FIGS. 1and/or 2 to generate a reference log.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart representative of example machine readableinstructions that may be performed by the example linear/non-linearmedia identifier of FIGS. 1 and/or 2 to identify program media andnon-program media based on matching codes.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart representative of example machine readableinstructions that may be performed by the example linear/non-linearmedia identifier of FIGS. 1 and/or 2 to identify program media andnon-program media based on matching signatures.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart representative of example machine readableinstructions that may be performed by the example linear/non-linearmedia identifier of FIGS. 1 and/or 2 to identify program media andnon-program media based on blank frames and/or cue tones.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart representative of example machine readableinstructions that may be performed by the example linear/non-linearmedia identifier of FIGS. 1 and/or 2 to identify program media andnon-program media based on logos.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart representative of example machine readableinstructions that may be performed by the example linear/non-linearmedia identifier of FIGS. 1 and/or 2 to determine whether program mediacorresponds to a linear or non-linear media presentation.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart representative of example machine readableinstructions that may be performed by the example linear/non-linearmedia identifier of FIGS. 1 and/or 2 to apply linear media presentationrules to determine whether program media corresponds to a linear ornon-linear media presentation.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart representative of example machine readableinstructions that may be performed by any of the example site meters,the example media presentation devices, and/or the example device metersof FIG. 1 to provide media presentation information to thelinear/non-linear media identifier of FIGS. 1 and/or 2.

FIG. 16 is a block diagram of an example processor platform capable ofexecuting the instructions of FIGS. 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, and/or15 to implement the apparatus of FIGS. 1 and/or 2.

Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughoutthe drawing(s) and accompanying written description to refer to the sameor like parts.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Distribution of media via non-linear models is gaining popularity.Traditionally, non-linear media distribution has been via physicalmedia, such as VCR tapes, Laser Discs, DVD's and Blu-Ray discs. With theacceptance of broadband Internet into homes, many new services havebecome increasingly available to consumers to enable access tonon-linear content through any of a variety of consumer electronicdevices. Services such as Hulu, Netflix, and Amazon Video on Demand(VOD), to name a few, offer consumers the ability to watch media at anygiven time. Distribution of the media is not tied to any broadcastschedule. Furthermore, the commercials for an episode of a program inthe non-linear world are often either not in the same order, fewer, orcompletely different than the commercials for the same episode of theprogram in a linear presentation.

Since linear and non-linear advertising may be, and often is, differentfor a given episode of a program, combining program ratings or viewingnumbers from linear and non-linear programs are potentially misleadingfor advertisers. Advertisers and media companies use linear televisionratings in order to set rates for commercials and/or commercial timeslots broadcast with a given linear program. As used herein, the term“linear presentations” refers to media presentations in which the vieweris intended to watch scheduled media at the particular time the media isoffered, and on the particular channel the media is presented. Anexample of a linear presentation is traditional radio frequency (RF)broadcast or cable television transmission, in which a media program isscheduled for a particular time slot and with an expectation that,absent recording, the program is to be viewed during that time slot.Media viewed via a recording device and/or a presentation in response toa specific request (e.g., video on demand) are considered to benon-linear presentations (e.g., time-shifted presentation) depending onthe nature of the subsequent viewing as described below. Examples ofnon-linear presentations include a time-shifted media presentation usinga digital video recorder (DVR), a personal video recorder, a videocassette recorder, and/or another video recording and/or time-shiftingdevice, and/or Video on Demand services such as streaming Internet videoon demand (e.g., YouTube, Netflix, Hulu, etc.) and/or video on demandvia a set top box and/or a television provider.

Example methods and apparatus disclosed herein distinguish betweenexposure to linear programs and exposure to non-linear programs. Thedistinctions determined using example methods and apparatus disclosedherein can be used to correctly determine audiences for differentcommercial advertisements presented via linear and non-linearpresentation of media.

Example media measurement platforms disclosed herein differentiatebetween program and non-program media, and use such information tocompare a user's exposure to and/or consumption of media to the mediawhich was distributed (e.g., available) in the linear domain. Programmedia is any media which is part of the content of the program (e.g., amovie, a television show). A program typically includes an introduction,body and credits. Non-program media includes media such as a commercialcreative, promotion, public service announcement, and/or other suchtypes of media which are not part of the content of a televisionprogram, although they may be interleaved with the program contentduring broadcast or other transmission. By finding and analyzing theorder of the program and non-program media exposed to a given user basedon a reference source, example methods and apparatus disclosed hereindetermine whether that media is from a linear source. If no non-programmedia is found, or no alignment with program and non-program media isfound, example methods and apparatus disclosed herein determine themedia exposed to the user to be presented via a non-linear source.

To classify a media presentation as linear and/or non-linear, examplemethods and apparatus use media measurement meters and/or device meters.Meters can be hardware devices, hardware plus software devices, and/orsoftware only where the meter software is installed on a consumerelectronics device (e.g., a personal computer, a mobile device, a tabletcomputer, a set top box (STB), etc.). In some examples, the metercollects and time stamps audio fingerprints corresponding to mediaplayed in the monitored environment at the granularity necessary tomatch reference data and identify the individual media. Meters collectdata, and periodically and/or aperiodically send data to a system forprocessing. In some examples, the meter data is matched against thereference system in a manner that increases efficiency by, for example,only considering the distribution sources to which a home has accessand/or attempting to match against linear distribution sources beforeattempting other matching (e.g., against time-shifted sources). Resultsfrom the matching process are either (1) “no match,” meaning there is noidentifiable media exposure of interest occurring, or (2) one or moremedia identifiers listed (and, in some examples, time stamped) in theorder of detection.

To increase the efficiency of determining whether media presentationsare linear or non-linear presentations, example methods and apparatusdisclosed herein first attempt to match a media presentation with linear(e.g., live) sources of distribution (e.g., based on the timestamp themeter associates with the fingerprint of the media in question). If amatch occurs with a linear source, both the distributor and the mediabeing distributed have been identified. If there is no match in thelinear domain, logs for available distribution sources which arereceivable by the monitored devices are searched. Example methods andapparatus disclosed herein compare media identifiers generated by themeter to reference media identifiers in reference logs. Where matches ofmedia identifiers occur, the results of the matches are passed to apresentation classifier. Example methods and apparatus disclosed hereinapply rules to classify viewing as originating from a linear source or anon-linear source. An example of such a rule is: “for any duration ofmetered viewing where non-program media occurs in the reference, themeter data must show that at least a threshold portion (e.g., eightypercent) of the non-program media was detected in the same order asdetected on the reference system (as recorded in a reference log).”Example media identifiers include an audio watermark detected in themedia and/or an audio signature (i.e., fingerprint) inherent to themedia.

Audio watermarking is a technique used to identify media such astelevision broadcasts, radio broadcasts, advertisements (televisionand/or radio), downloaded media, streaming media, prepackaged media,etc. Existing audio watermarking techniques identify media by embeddingone or more audio codes (e.g., one or more watermarks), such as mediaidentifying information and/or an identifier that may be mapped to mediaidentifying information, into an audio component of the media. In someexamples, the audio component is selected to have a signalcharacteristic sufficient to hide the watermark from human detection(e.g., the code is masked from hearing). This is sometimes referred toas stenographic or psychoacoustic encoding. In addition to or as analternative to audio watermarking, video watermarking may be employed.Video watermarking embeds a code (preferably hidden from human visualdetection) in the video component of media. As used herein, the terms“code” or “watermark” are used interchangeably and are defined to meanany identification information (e.g., an identifier, metadata, etc.)that may be inserted or embedded in the audio and/or video of media(e.g., a program or advertisement) for the purpose of identifying themedia and/or for another purpose such as tuning (e.g., a packetidentifying header). As used herein “media” refers to audio and/orvisual (still or moving) content and/or advertisements. To identifywatermarked media, the watermark(s) are extracted and compared to atable of reference watermarks that are mapped to media identifyinginformation.

Another type of media identifier used in example methods and apparatusdisclosed herein is signatures or fingerprints. Unlike media monitoringtechniques based on codes and/or watermarks included with and/orembedded in the monitored media, fingerprint or signature-based mediamonitoring techniques generally use one or more inherent characteristicsof the monitored media during a monitoring time interval to generate asubstantially unique proxy for the media. Such a proxy is referred to asa signature or fingerprint, and can take any form (e.g., a series ofdigital values, a waveform, etc.) representative of any aspect(s) of themedia signal(s)(e.g., the audio and/or video signals forming the mediapresentation being monitored). Good signatures are repeatable whenprocessing the same media presentation, but are unique relative to other(e.g., different) presentations of other (e.g., different) media.Accordingly, the term “fingerprint” and “signature” are usedinterchangeably herein and are defined herein to mean a proxy foridentifying media that is generated from one or more inherentcharacteristics of the media.

Signature-based media monitoring generally involves determining (e.g.,generating and/or collecting) signature(s) representative of a mediasignal (e.g., an audio signal and/or a video signal) output by amonitored media device and comparing the monitored signature(s) to oneor more references signatures corresponding to known (e.g., reference)media sources. Various comparison criteria, such as a cross-correlationvalue, a Hamming distance, etc., can be evaluated to determine whether amonitored signature matches a particular reference signature. When amatch between the monitored signature and one of the referencesignatures is found, the monitored media can be identified ascorresponding to the particular reference media represented by thereference signature that matched the monitored signature. Becauseattributes, such as an identifier of the media, a presentation time, abroadcast channel, etc., are collected for the reference signature,these attributes may then be associated with the monitored media whosemonitored signature matched the reference signature. Example systems foridentifying media based on codes and/or signatures are long known andwere disclosed in Thomas, U.S. Pat. No. 5,481,294, which is herebyincorporated by reference in its entirety.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an example system 100 constructed inaccordance with the teachings of this disclosure to identify linearand/or non-linear media presentations. The example system 100 of FIG. 1may be used to distinguish between exposure to linear airings of mediaand exposure to non-linear media. By identifying or distinguishingbetween linear and non-linear media presentations, the example system100 of FIG. 1 generates more accurate ratings of program media (e.g.,television shows, advertisements, etc.) across multiple presentationplatforms (e.g., television, time-shifted viewing, streaming mediapresentations, etc.). For example, rather than grouping linearpresentation audiences and non-linear presentation audiences for aprogram under a same measurement, the example system 100 of FIG. 1determines which presentations (and, thus, audience members) are linearpresentations and which presentations (and, thus, audience members) arenon-linear presentations. Because different presentation platforms maypresent different non-program media (e.g., advertisements) inassociation with a same program, the example system 100 of FIG. 1provides advertisers with more accurate data regarding the viewership ofits advertisements across different distribution media (e.g., cable,satellite, over-the-air television broadcast, physical storage media,Internet, on demand, etc.).

The example system 100 of FIG. 1 includes a presentation site (e.g., ahousehold) 102, reference sites 106, 108, media distributor(s) 110, anda linear/non-linear media identifier 112. Each of the examplepresentation site 102 and the reference sites 106, 108 includes a sitemeter 114, 115. The example system 100 further includes a mobile mediapresentation device 116, which may be associated with the presentationsite 102 (e.g., owned, leased, and/or used by a person associated withthe presentation site 102).

Traditionally, audience measurement entities (also referred to herein as“ratings entities”) determine demographic reach for advertising andmedia programming based on registered panel members. That is, anaudience measurement entity enrolls people that consent to beingmonitored into a panel. During enrollment, the audience measuremententity receives demographic information from the enrolling people sothat subsequent correlations may be made between advertisement/mediaexposure to those panelists and different demographic markets.

Panelists are users registered on panels maintained by a ratings entity(e.g., an audience measurement entity or company) that owns and/oroperates the ratings entity subsystem. People become panelists via, forexample, a user interface presented on a media device such as a computer(e.g., via a website). People become panelists in additional oralternative manners such as, for example, via a telephone interview, bycompleting an online survey, etc. Additionally or alternatively, peoplemay be contacted and/or enlisted using any desired methodology (e.g.,random selection, statistical selection, phone solicitations, Internetadvertisements, surveys, advertisements in shopping malls, productpackaging, etc.).

The example presentation site 102 of FIG. 1 is associated with apanelist and includes a television 118, a radio 119, and a computingdevice 120 (collectively referred to as media presentation devices). Themedia presentation devices 118-120 present media selected by persons(e.g., panelists) associated with the presentation site 102. Thetelevision 118 may present media from any of multiple media sources,such as a cable or satellite set top box 122, a video game console 124,a DVR 126, a disc player 128 (e.g., Blu-ray disc, DVD, CD, etc.), and/orany other media source including, for example, the computing device 120.The radio 119 may present media such as radio stations broadcast overRF. The example computing device 120 of FIG. 1 may be a personalcomputer, a laptop computer, a mobile device (e.g., a cell phone, asmart phone, a tablet such as an iPad™), a personal digital assistant(PDA), an Internet appliance, and/or any other type of computing device.

The site meter 114 at the presentation site 102 monitors media presentedvia the media presentation device(s) 118-120. In the example of FIG. 1,the site meter 114 monitors media presented via the television by, forexample, capturing free field audio to detect audio codes or watermarksin presented media, generating signatures from audio and/or video outputby the television 118, detecting blank frames and/or cue tones insertedin presented media streams, detecting logos present in presented media,and/or any other method of monitoring media presentations on thetelevision 118. Examples of metering devices that may be used toimplement the site meter 114 of FIG. 1 are described in U.S. Pat. Nos.7,690,853 and 7,643,090, and U.S. patent application Ser. No.13/791,432. The entireties of U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,690,853, 7,643,090 andU.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/791,432 are hereby incorporated byreference.

The example computing device 120 of the illustrated example includes adevice meter 130 to monitor media presented via the computing device120. The device meter 130 may monitor media presentations that cannot bemonitored using the site meter 114. Examples of device meters that maybe used to implement the device meter 130 of FIG. 1 are described inU.S. Pat. No. 5,675,510. The entirety of U.S. Pat. No. 5,675,510 ishereby incorporated by reference. In some other examples, the computingdevice 120 is communicatively coupled to the site meter 114 or anothermeter external to the computing device 120.

The example site meter 114 and the example device meter 130 generatemedia presentation logs of events representative of media presentationsvia the respective media presentation devices 118-120. The mediapresentation logs include timestamps identifying times associated withthe occurrence of the events in the logs. The site meter 114 and thedevice meter 130 of the illustrated example periodically oraperiodically transmit the media presentation logs they generate to thelinear/non-linear media identifier 112 via a network 132 (e.g., theInternet). The example site meter 114 associated with the presentationsite 102 monitors media presentations occurring via, for example, thetelevision 118 at the presentation site 102 and provides mediapresentation logs to the linear/non-linear media identifier 112.

The example reference site meters 115 associated with the referencesites 106, 108 generate reference logs (similar to the mediapresentation logs) for linear media sources. For example, the referencesites 106, 108 may include one or more media presentation devices and/orreference site meters 115 to monitor linear media presentations formedia sources of interest. In some examples, the media sources ofinterest include all available linear media sources (e.g., all cablechannels, broadcast channels, and/or satellite channels available to thereference site). In some other examples, the media sources of interestinclude a selected subset of available linear media sources. In theexample of FIG. 1, the reference sites 106, 108 are selected to haveaccess to linear media sources in a manner that is representative of theprogramming available to the presentation site 102. For example, thereference sites 106, 108 may be physically located in a same mediadistribution region and have access to the same media distributor(s) 110(e.g., local multiple system operators (MSOs) such as cable and/orsatellite operators) as the monitored presentation site 102.

In some examples, the site meters 114, 115 capture, record, and/orgenerate media identifying information and timestamps at which the mediaidentifying information was captured and/or generated. Example mediaidentifying information that may be captured and/or recorded includesaudio and/or video watermark codes, cue tones in the audio track of themedia, blank frames or blank frames in the video of the media, and/orlogos overlaid over the video portion of program media (and not presentin non-program media). Example media identifying information that may begenerated by the site meters 114, 115 also include signatures orfingerprints representative of the media.

The example linear/non-linear media identifier 112 of FIG. 1 receivesand/or generates the reference log(s) (from the reference site meters115) and the media presentation log(s) (from the site meters 114) anddetermines whether media presentations at the presentation site 102 arelinear or non-linear media presentations. To determine whether a mediapresentation is a linear or a non-linear media presentation, the examplelinear/non-linear media identifier 112 compares a generated or receivedmedia presentation log to one or more reference logs, as described inmore detail below. Using media identifiers, the examplelinear/non-linear media identifier 112 identifies media items (e.g.,program content, advertisements, etc.) in a media presentation asprogram media and/or non-program media. The example linear/non-linearmedia identifier 112 also applies rules to classify the mediapresentations as linear and/or non-linear media presentations asexplained below.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an example implementation of the examplelinear/non-linear media identifier 112 of FIG. 1. The examplelinear/non-linear media identifier 112 of FIG. 2 includes a loggenerator 202, a log collector 204, a log comparator 206, a presentationclassifier 208, a lineup interpreter 210, a storage device 212, anetwork interface 214, and a ratings calculator 228.

As mentioned above, the example linear/non-linear media identifier 112determines whether media in a media presentation detected at apresentation site 102 (e.g., a panelist site, household, etc.) isprogram media or non-program media. The example log generator 202 ofFIG. 2 generates one or more reference logs representative of linearmedia. The log generator 202 generates reference logs to includeindications of linear presentations of program media and non-programmedia (e.g., unique identifiers of program and non-program media) andthe times at which the program media and non-program media (e.g.,advertisements) were presented in a linear manner. In some examples, thelog generator 202 further indicates or distinguishes the media source(s)for the program media and non-program media when reference logs aregenerated for multiple media source(s). The reference logs are used forcomparison with presentation logs generated based on media presented atthe presentation site 102.

The example log generator 202 of FIG. 2 generates the presentation logsand/or reference logs based on information collected by the site meters114, 115 and/or the device meter 130. For example, the log generator 202generates presentation logs based on media (e.g., audio and/or videodata) detected by the site meter 114 and/or by the device meter 130, andgenerates reference log(s) based on media (e.g., audio and video data)received from the site meter(s) 115 of FIG. 1. To generate referencelog(s) and/or presentation log(s), the example log generator 202includes a code matcher 216, a signature generator 218, a signaturematcher 220, a cue tone identifier 222, a blank frame identifier 224,and a logo identifier 226. In some examples, the log generator 202 mayuse a subset including one or more of the code matcher 216, thesignature generator 218, the signature matcher 220, the cue toneidentifier 222, the blank frame identifier 224, and/or the logoidentifier 226 to generate the reference logs.

The example code matcher 216, the example signature generator 218, theexample signature matcher 220, the example cue tone identifier 222, theexample blank frame identifier 224, and/or the example logo identifier226 generate events based on processing the media. The example loggenerator 202 classifies the events (e.g., identified and/or matchedcodes, generated and/or matched signatures, identified cue tones,identified blank frames, and/or identified logos) as being associatedwith program media and/or non-program media. Based on the information inan event (or sequence of events), the example log generator 202 logs atype of the event (e.g., program media, non-program media), a time atwhich the event was observed (e.g., a time at which the portion of themedia stream was captured), an identifier of the media associated withthe event (if the media is identifiable), and a source identifier forthe event (e.g., a channel on which the captured media stream ispresented).

The example code matcher 216 of FIG. 2 monitors audio and/or video ofmedia to extract embedded codes or watermarks. The embedded codesdetected by the code matcher 216 may be codes such as those insertedinto media streams for audience measurement activities. Code systemsidentify items of media (e.g., episodes of a program, advertisements,etc.) by embedding unique codes (e.g., binary codes) in thecorresponding media. Thus, by identifying the code embedded in themedia, the media can be identified using, for example, a lookup table.Examples of a code system that may be used to implement the code matcher216 include the NAES II system, the NAES V system, and/or the NAES VIsystem used by The Nielsen Company (US), LLC, to perform televisionaudience measurement and the CBET system used by Arbitron. U.S. Pat.Nos. 6,272,276 and 8,369,972 are hereby incorporated by reference intheir entireties. However, other audio and/or video codes may bedetected from the media using one or more other code systems. Theexample code matcher 216 queries the storage device 212, which containsmappings of codes to media (e.g., codes to media identifiers), toidentify the media corresponding to the extracted code(s). Byidentifying the media using the codes, the example code matcher 216determines whether a media item is program media (e.g., a televisionshow, a movie, or other content) or non-program media (e.g., anadvertisement, a public service announcement, etc.).

When the code matcher 216 identifies a code that matches a known code,the example code matcher 216 populates a reference log or presentationlog with an event entry including an indication that the identifiedmedia associated with the code is program media or non-program media, atimestamp of the media, an identification of a source of the media, andan identifier of the media. The code matcher 216 of FIG. 2 may combinemultiple consecutive codes into a single entry if, for example, theconsecutive codes are associated with the same media (e.g., program,commercial, etc.). In some examples, the entry associated with combinedcodes includes a time duration instead of a timestamp of one point intime. Example instructions to identify program media and non-programmedia based on matching codes are described below with reference to FIG.9.

The example signature generator 218 of FIG. 2 generates signatures, suchas strings of bits, numbers, and/or characters, that represent all or aportion of an item of media. The example signature generator 218 mayutilize a signaturing method that is robust against background (e.g.,environmental) noise, media presentation quality, noise (e.g.,interference, distribution effects, etc.) and/or distortion of themedia. In some examples, the signature generator 218 generates one ormore signatures to represent a particular duration of media. Thus, amedia item may be represented by a number of signatures based on thetotal duration of the media item. The signature generator 218 maygenerate signatures from an audio portion, a video portion, and/or acombination of the audio and video portions of a media item.

The example signature matcher 220 compares the signatures generated bythe signature generator 218 to a database of reference signaturesrepresentative of known media. The example storage device 212 of FIG. 2may implement a reference signature database. If a threshold number ofsignatures match reference signatures stored in the database for a mediaitem, the example signature matcher 220 determines that the mediamatches the reference media associated with the reference signatures. Bygenerating the signatures and identifying the media using the generatedsignatures, the example signature generator 218 and the signaturematcher 220 determine whether a media item is program media ornon-program media. Example methods and apparatus that may be used toimplement the example signature generator 218 and/or the signaturematcher 220 of FIG. 2 are described in U.S. Pat. No. 8,600,531. However,other signaturing methods and/or apparatus may be used in addition or asan alternative to such methods and apparatus. The entirety of U.S. Pat.No. 8,600,531 is hereby incorporated by reference.

When the signature matcher 220 identifies a signature that matches aknown signature, the example signature matcher 220 populates a referencelog or presentation log with an event entry including an indication thatthe identified media associated with the signature is program media ornon-program media, a timestamp of the media, an identification of asource of the media, and an identifier of the media. The signaturematcher 220 of FIG. 2 may combine multiple consecutive signatures into asingle event if, for example, the consecutive signatures are associatedwith the same media (e.g., program, commercial, etc.). Exampleinstructions to identify program media and non-program media based onmatching signatures are described below with reference to FIG. 10.

The example cue tone identifier 222 of FIG. 2 monitors an audio portionof the media for cue tones indicative of non-program media insertionsinto a media stream. Media distributors (e.g., the media distributors110 of FIG. 1) often insert commercials with the use of one or more cuetones. Cue tones are audio tones in the audio track of a media streamthat indicate when a commercial insertion should occur. Cue tones may becarried in the Secondary Audio Program (SAP) channel and/or in theprimary audio channel of a media stream. Media streams provided to themedia distributors 110 of FIG. 1 for distribution may include distinct,predetermined sequence(s) of cue tones to indicate or mark where themedia distributors 110 are to insert non-program media such asadvertisements. An example method to use cue tones for media insertioninto a media stream (e.g., digital program insertion of digital cuetones) is described in the Society of Cable Television Engineers (SCTE)30 and SCTE 35 standards. The SCTE 30 and SCTE 35 standards enableaccurate media insertions (e.g., by the media distributor(s) 110) usinga presentation time stamp (PTS). The PTS data is delivered ahead of thecommercial insertion to indicate a frame-accurate insertion point in thedigital stream. By decoding the digital cue tone information, theexample cue tone identifier 222 uses the information to derive thetime(s) at which non-program media begin.

When the cue tone identifier 222 successfully identifies an insertioncue, the example cue tone identifier 222 of FIG. 2 timestamps the eventand stores the event in a reference log or presentation log. In theexample of FIG. 2, the cue tone identifier 222 logs non-program events,because the cue tones are generally used to signal the placement ofcommercials or other non-program media. For example, the cue toneidentifier 222 may log an event that indicates a time period of thenon-program media as being between a first time at which the cue tonewas presented in the media and a second time at which a next event isidentified (e.g., a next cue tone, a blank frame, an identified code orsignature, etc.). Example instructions to identify program media andnon-program media based on cue tones are described below with referenceto FIG. 11.

The example blank frame identifier 224 identifies non-program media bydetecting a ‘fade to black’ frame in a media stream. For example, avideo frame comprising a single color (usually black, although othercolors can be used) is inserted into the media stream (e.g., by aprogrammer of the media stream) provided to the media distributor 110 toprovide a commercial insertion point. Thus, blank frame identificationmay be used in addition to or as an alternative to cue tone detection.By detecting the blank or ‘fade to black’ frame, the example blank frameidentifier 224 derives the time(s) at which non-program media begin. Onidentifying a blank frame, the example blank frame identifier 224 ofFIG. 2 timestamps the event and stores the event in a reference log orpresentation log. Example methods and apparatus for detecting a blankframe are described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,984,462. The entirety of U.S.Pat. No. 7,984,462 is hereby incorporated by reference.

When the example blank frame identifier 224 of FIG. 2 successfullyidentifies a blank frame, the blank frame identifier 224 timestamps theevent and stores the event in a reference log or presentation log. Inthe example of FIG. 2, the blank frame identifier 224 logs non-programevents because, like cue tones, the blank frames are generally used tosignal the placement of commercials or other non-program media. Forexample, the blank frame identifier 224 may log an event that indicatesa time period of the non-program media as being between a first time atwhich the blank frame was presented in the media and a second time atwhich a next event is identified (e.g., a next cue tone, a next blankframe, an identified code or signature, etc.). Example instructions toidentify program media and non-program media based on blank frames aredescribed below with reference to FIG. 11.

The example logo identifier 226 of FIG. 2 detects logos present in amedia stream. Some programmers and/or media distributors overlay a smalllogo on the program media. In contrast, the logos may not be placed oncommercials. For media sources that perform such logo overlays, theexample logo identifier 226 detects logo images that do not change forat least a threshold time (e.g., the logo remains for several minutes).By detecting the logos, the example logo identifier 226 derives thetime(s) during which program media is presented and the time(s) duringwhich non-program media is presented. On identifying the logo anddetermining the time(s) at which the logo is present, the example logoidentifier 226 of FIG. 2 timestamps and/or records the time range of theevent and stores the event in a reference log or presentation log.Example methods and apparatus for detecting a logo are described in U.S.Pat. No. 7,643,090.

When the logo identifier 226 successfully identifies a logo in the mediastream, the example logo identifier 226 of FIG. 2 timestamps the eventand stores the event in a reference log or presentation log. In theexample of FIG. 2, the logo identifier 226 logs program events, becausedetected logos are generally presented as network or station identifiersduring the presentation of program media. For example, the logoidentifier 226 may log an event that indicates a time period of programmedia as being between a start time of detection of the logo in themedia and a next end time of detection of the logo in the media. In someexamples, the event logged with the logo identifier 226 is populatedwith a media identifier based on code(s) and/or signature(s) that arecaptured during the presentation of the logo and matched to knowncode(s) and/or signature(s) by the code matcher 216 and/or the signaturematcher 220.

In some examples, the log generator 202 rounds or conforms the eventduration (e.g., timestamped start and/or end periods) of non-programevents to a nearest standardized non-program duration (e.g., 15 seconds,30 seconds, 60 seconds, etc.). The example cue tone identifier 222, theexample blank frame identifier 224, and/or the example logo identifier226 may not be capable of identifying program or non-program media. Insome examples, the example cue tone identifier 222, the example blankframe identifier 224, and/or the example logo identifier 226 are used incombination with the code matcher 216 and/or the signature matcher 220to a) determine a precise time boundary of an event entry (e.g., via thecue tone identifier 222, the blank frame identifier 224, and/or the logoidentifier 226) and to b) determine a media identifier for the evententry (e.g., via the code matcher 216 and/or the signature matcher 220).In other examples, the example cue tone identifier 222, the exampleblank frame identifier 224, and/or the example logo identifier 226 areused in combination with a schedule of media to match a media source andtime to the schedule (which includes a mapping of media sources andtimes to media and/or media identifiers) to determine a correspondingmedia identifier.

FIG. 3 illustrates an example reference log 300 for a first media source(e.g., a first television channel) that may be generated by the examplelinear/non-linear media identifier 112 and/or the site meters 115 ofFIGS. 1 and/or 2. FIG. 4 illustrates an example reference log 400 for asecond media source (e.g., a second television channel) that may begenerated by the example linear/non-linear media identifier 112 and/orthe site meters 115. The example log comparator 206 and/or the examplepresentation classifier 208 use the reference logs 300, 400 to determinewhether media presentations (represented by presentation logs) presentedat presentation sites (e.g., the presentation site 102 of FIG. 1) arelinear media presentations or non-linear media presentations.

The example reference log 300 of FIG. 3 includes events 302, 304, 306,308, 310, and 312. The example reference log 400 of FIG. 4 includesevents 402, 404, 406, 408, 410, and 412. Each of the events 302-312,402-412 in the example reference logs 300, 400 includes a timestamp 314,a media type 316 (e.g., program media or non-program media), a mediaidentifier 318, and a source identifier 320. In some examples, thesource identifier 320 may be omitted from the reference log 300 and,instead, the reference log 300 as a whole may be associated with theappropriate media source. In such examples, a different reference log isgenerated and/or populated for each media source (e.g., channel). Thereference logs 300, 400 represent linear media presentations and, thus,media presentations may be matched to the reference logs to determinewhether they are linear or non-linear media presentations.

FIG. 5 illustrates an example media presentation log 500 for a firstmedia presentation device (e.g., the television 118 viewing a channelvia the set top box 122) that may be generated by the examplelinear/non-linear media identifier 112, the site meters 114, and/or themedia presentation devices 116, 120 of FIGS. 1 and/or 2. The examplemedia presentation log 500 of FIG. 5 includes entries 502, 504, 506,508, 510, 512, each of which includes a timestamp 514 (e.g., date andtime), a media type 516, a media identifier 518, and a time offset 520.

The timestamp 514 reflects the date and time (or time range) in whichthe media represented by the entry 502-512 was observed. The media type516 indicates whether the entry is classified as program media ornon-program media. The media identifier 518 is a unique identifier ofthe media item, and should have the same media identifier as otherpresentations of the media item. The time offset 520 indicates adifference or delay from a linear presentation of the mediacorresponding to the media entry 502-512 (e.g., determined from thereference logs 300, 400, or from a database of linear presentations) toa later presentation of the media at the presentation site 102. Forexample, the entry 502 of FIG. 5 was presented from 9:00:00 AM to9:10:00 AM on Nov. 13, 2013, is identified as program media having amedia identifier P5545, and was presented one day and 1:00:00 hoursafter an identified linear presentation of the media corresponding tothe media identifier P5545.

FIG. 6 is an example media presentation log 600 for a second mediapresentation device (e.g., the mobile device 116, the computing device120) that may generated by the example linear/non-linear mediaidentifier 112, the site meters 114, the media presentation devices 116,120, and/or the device meter 130 of FIGS. 1 and/or 2. The example mediapresentation log includes an entry 602 having the timestamp 514, themedia type 516, the media identifier 518, and the time offset 520fields. The example entry 602 includes an identified program presentedcontiguously during 10:00:00-10:19:00 on Nov. 13, 2013.

The example timestamps 514 in the presentation logs 500, 600 represent atime and date at which the media associated with an event 502-512, 602was observed (by the site meter 114 and/or the device meter 130). Theexample media type 516 identifies whether the media associated with theevent 502-512, 602 is program media or non-program media. The examplemedia identifier 518 includes an identifier 518 of the media (e.g., aunique identifier of an item of media, such as a program, episode,advertisement, etc.). In some examples, the presentation logs 500, 600of FIG. 5 and further specifies a type of device and/or a uniqueidentifier of the device at which the media was observed.

The example log generator 202 of FIG. 2 generates the reference log 300based on media identifying information received from the site meter 115associated with the first example reference site 106 and generates thereference log 400 based on media identifying information received fromthe site meter 115 associated with the second example reference site 108of FIG. 1. Additionally or alternatively, the log generator 202generates the presentation log 500 based on media identifyinginformation received from the site meter 114 of FIG. 1 and/or generatesthe presentation log 600 based on media identifying information receivedfrom the mobile media presentation device 116. For example, the loggenerator 202 generates the event entries 302-312, 402-412, 502-512, 602based on codes identified by the code matcher 216, signatures (e.g.,audio fingerprints) identified by the signature matcher 220, cue tonesidentified by the cue tone identifier 222, blank frames identified bythe blank frame identifier 224, and/or logos identified by the logoidentifier 226 based on media identifying information received from thesite meter 115. Examples of logging events based on the code matcher216, the signature matcher 220, the cue tone identifier 222, the blankframe identifier 224, and/or the logo identifier 226 are describedabove.

In some examples, the site meters 114, 115 and/or the device meter 130implement a log generator 202 to generate presentation logs and/orreference logs and transmit the logs to the linear/non-linear mediaidentifier 112. The example log collector 204 of FIG. 2 collectsreference logs and/or presentation logs from meters (e.g., the sitemeters 114, 115 of FIG. 1, the device meters 130 of FIG. 1). In someexamples, the log collector 204 collects presentation logs and the loggenerator 202 generates the reference logs. The log collector 204 storesthe received or collected logs in a log storage (e.g., the storagedevice 212).

The example log comparator 206 attempts to identify a partial orcomplete match between ones of the presentation logs and ones of thereference logs by comparing the presentation logs to the reference logs.For example, the log comparator 206 may compare the contents of thecollected and/or generated presentation logs (e.g., log entriesrepresentative of observed media items) to the log entries in referencelogs and/or to media identified in one or more media databases. Forexample, the log comparator 206 may compare logs generated by the loggenerator 202, logs collected by the log collector 204, and/or logsstored in the storage device 212. In some examples, the log comparator206 filters the reference logs to be compared by determining which mediasources, reference logs, and/or events represent linear media streamsthat a presentation site 102 (associated with a presentation log underconsideration) can access or present.

In some examples, the example log comparator 206 of FIG. 2 prioritizesan order of comparison of presentation logs to reference logs by firstcomparing a presentation log to linear media sources occurring at thetimes indicated by the timestamps in the presentation log, and thencomparing the presentation log to non-linear media sources when mediaitems and/or events in the presentation log do not match any of thereviewed linear media sources. For example, the log comparator 206 mayselect an event or set of events from the presentation log, determinethe timestamp(s) of the event(s), and compare the event(s) (e.g.,extracted code(s), signature(s), combination(s) of cue tone(s), logo(s),blank frame(s), and/or other identifiers) to events in the referencelog(s) having similar timestamp(s) to identify matching patterns. If theevents are not matched to linear media, the example log comparator 206may attempt to match the events to non-linear media sources, such asInternet-based media sources, video-on-demand media sources, and/or anyother source or repository of program media and/or non-program media.

In an example of comparing a presentation log to a reference log, theexample log comparator 206 may compare the presentation log 500 of FIG.5 to the reference logs 300 and 400 of FIGS. 3 and 4 to attempt todetermine whether the presentation log 500 represents a linear or anon-linear presentation of media. Between the logs 300 and 400 (and/orany additional reference logs for comparison), the example logcomparator 206 selects the example reference log 300 of FIG. 3 for afirst comparison because the timestamps 314 of the events 302-312 in thereference log 300 match (e.g., within a tolerance based on, for example,possible broadcast or other distribution delays) correspondingtimestamps 514 of the events 502-512 in the presentation log 500.Because live television may be the most common manner of viewing at thetime and/or location of collection of the media from which the loggenerator 202 generates the reference log 300, the events 302-312 in thereference log 300 may have the highest likelihood of matching the events502-512 in the presentation log 500.

The example log comparator 206 compares the first event 502 of thepresentation log 500 to the first event 302 of the reference log 300based on the events 302, 502 having same timestamp starting times (e.g.,within a window or tolerance). The log comparator 206 determines thatthe events 302 and 502 are both program media (e.g., due to both events302 and 502 having a “program” media type 316, 516), but also determinesthat the events 302 and 502 do not represent the same program media(e.g., due to the events 302 and 502 having different media identifiers318, 518). Because the events 302 and 502 do not represent the sameprogram media, the example log comparator 206 determines that the eventsdo not match. The example log comparator 206 identifies similar pairs ofevents 304 and 504, 306 and 506, 308 and 508, 310 and 510, and 312 and512 based on similar timestamp matching, and performs comparisons forthe pairs of events 304 and 504, 306 and 506, 308 and 508, 310 and 510,and 312 and 512. Based on the comparisons of the pairs of events, thelog comparator 206 determines that these pairs of events do not matchbecause each event in each pair is identified as different media. Insome examples, the log comparator 206 also compares the events 502-512in the presentation log 500 to events 302-312 in the reference log 300to determine whether the presentation log 500 matches the reference log300 with a time offset (e.g., where the media presentation associatedwith the log 500 was presented with a time delay).

After determining that the presentation log 500 does not match thereference log 300, the example log comparator 206 determines whether thepresentation log 500 matches any other reference logs 300 having same orsimilar timestamps as the events 502-512 (e.g., whether the presentationlog 500 corresponds to a live presentation). If the log comparator 206determines that the presentation log 500 does not match any referencelogs representative of events occurring at the same time as thepresentation log events 502-512, the example log comparator 206 comparesthe presentation log 500 to other reference log(s) (e.g., eventsoccurring prior to the events 502-512 in the presentation log 500).

Continuing with the example, the example log comparator 206 compares thepresentation log 500 to the reference log 400 of FIG. 4. The logcomparator 206 compares the event 502 of the presentation log 500 to theexample event 402 of the reference log 400. Because the duration(determined from the timestamps 314, 514), the media types 316, 516, andthe media identifiers 318, 518 of the events 402 and 502 match, theexample log comparator 206 determines that the events 402 and 502 match.In some other examples, events are considered to match when a subset ofthe fields 314-318, 514-518 match and/or key ones of the fields 314-318,514-518 match. The log comparator 206 of the illustrated example furtherdetermines an offset 520 of the event 502 to be one day and one hour(e.g., +1 1:00:00). The example log comparator 206 further determinesthat the event pairs 404 and 504, 406 and 506, 408 and 508, 410 and 510,and 412 and 512 match based on the timestamps 314, 514, media types 316,516, and media identifiers 318, 518 match between the pairs of events.

Based on the partial and/or complete matches identified by the logcomparator 206, the example presentation classifier 208 of FIG. 2classifies the media presentations in the presentation logs as linearmedia presentations or non-linear media presentations. In some examples,the presentation classifier 208 may classify a media presentation as notcontaining media of interest and, therefore, as neither a linear nornon-linear media presentation. To classify the media presentations, theexample presentation classifier 208 applies one or more classificationrules to the matched events. An example classification rule states that,for any duration of a monitored presentation in which non-program mediaoccurs in the reference log, the non-program media in the presentationlog data must match at least a threshold portion (e.g., eighty percent)of the non-program media in the matching reference log data in the sameorder as provided in the reference log.

The following example of determining whether a match between apresentation log and a reference log represents a linear or non-linearmedia presentation continues the matching example discussed above withreference to FIGS. 3, 4, and 5. Based on the identification of a matchby the example log comparator 206, the presentation classifier 208determines that, for the contiguous duration represented by the events502-512, at least a threshold portion of the duration of the events502-512 has matching media identifiers 318, 518 between correspondingpairs of the events 402-412, 502-512 (e.g., 402 and 502, 404 and 504,etc.). In the illustrated example, 100% of the duration of the events502-512 has a media identifier 518 matching its corresponding event402-412 in the reference log 400. In some other examples, one or moreevents 502-512 in the presentation log 500 may represent personalizedmedia (e.g., personalized advertisements) delivered to the presentationsite 102. Such events, which are shown at the presentation site 102 butnot at the reference sites 1066, 108, may cause less than 100%, but morethan a threshold duration (e.g., 80%) of the duration of the events502-512 to match. When the matching portion of the duration satisfiesthe threshold, the example presentation classifier 208 determines thatthe media presentation represented by the events 502-512 is a linearpresentation.

The example presentation log 600 of FIG. 6 represents a presentation ofa program associated with media identifier P5545 at another presentationsite. The example log comparator 206 determines that the example mediaidentifier 518 of the presentation log 600 matches the media identifier318 of the reference log 400 of FIG. 4 (e.g., based on matching codesand/or matching signatures in the reference media and the presentedmedia). However, the example presentation classifier 208 determines thatthe presentation log 600 of FIG. 6 is not a linear media presentation(e.g., is a non-linear media presentation) because a) less than athreshold duration of the events 402-412 matches the duration of theevent 602 of the presentation log 600 and/or b) the sequence of programand non-program events (e.g., the program event 602) in the presentationlog 600 does not match the sequence of program and non-program events402-412 of the reference log 400.

Lineup information may be used by the log generator 202 and/or the logcomparator 206 to identify reference media and/or media presented at thepresentation site 102. The example lineup interpreter 210 of FIG. 2receives lineup information from the media distributor(s) 110 of FIG. 1and interprets the lineup information to identify the program mediapresented in linear presentations at particular times and on particularchannels. For example, the lineup interpreter 210 may receive (e.g., viathe network interface 214 of FIG. 2 and/or the network 132 of FIG. 1) alineup containing a listing of programs being presented at the times andmedia sources accessible to the presentation site 102 and the referencesites 106, 108 from the media distributor 110. Additionally oralternatively, lineup information may be generated by and received fromthe Nielsen Automated Monitoring of Lineup (AMOL) system using thereference sites 115. Example lineup information includes a title of aprogram, the time slot during which the program is distributed, a sourceof the program (e.g., a network or local affiliate, a channel, etc.)and, for some program media, an identifier of an episode of a program.

The example lineup interpreter 210 of FIG. 2 processes lineup data bymatching to obtain identifiers of program media that may be used touniquely identify the program media in reference logs and/or mediapresentation logs. The lineup interpreter 210 may then update thereference logs with the appropriate media identifier corresponding tothe time and media source in a reference log entry. For example, thelineup interpreter 210 may add an identifier of the program media to areference log based on timestamp(s) of the program media. In someexamples, the lineup interpreter 210 does not identify non-program mediabecause non-program media identification information is not provided inthe received lineup. However, the lineup interpreter 210 may identifythe non-program media in the reference log using a lineup thatidentifies non-program media.

The example storage device 212 of FIG. 2 may include one or morephysical and/or logical storage devices to store the reference logsand/or presentation logs. In the example of FIG. 2, the storage device212 further implements a code or watermark database (e.g., a lookuptable) and/or a signature database.

The example network interface 214 includes the physical and logicalcomponents for communicating with the example site meters 114, 115, themobile media presentation device 116, and/or the computing device 120via the network 132 of FIG. 1.

The presentation logs may be associated with respective counts ofaudience members (and/or associated demographic information) at thepresentation site 102. For example, the site meter 114 and/or the devicemeter 130 of FIG. 1 may be capable of identifying panelists who arepresent for media presentations and including the panelistidentification in the presentation log(s) (e.g., with each event in alog). The example ratings calculator 228 of FIG. 2 calculates ratingsand/or other media presentation information for linear and/or non-linearmedia presentations based on the linear media presentations andnon-linear media presentations identified by the presentation classifier208. For example, the ratings calculator 228 determines a number oflinear presentations by counting the media presentation logs containingidentified linear presentations of the media of interest. Additionallyor alternatively, the ratings calculator 228 determines a number ofnon-linear presentations by counting the media presentation logscontaining identified non-linear presentations of the media of interest.

The example ratings calculator 228 scales the counted number(s) oflinear and/or non-linear media presentations by a scaling factor, wherethe scaling factor is based on the representative qualities of the panelfrom which the presentation logs were collected with respect to apopulation to be measured. For example, in some cases the ratingscalculator 228 augments traditional television and/or online audiencemeasurement data by classifying observed presentations of media atpanelist locations and/or devices as linear and/or non-linearpresentations. In some examples, the ratings calculator 228 uses thescaled or raw counted linear presentations in combination withadditional audience measurement data. The example ratings calculator 228may generate any other applicable types of ratings information from theidentified linear and/or non-linear media presentation identifications.

In an example, the ratings calculator 228 determines that a mediapresentation at a panelist household (e.g., the presentation site 102)is a linear presentation of media having identifier P5545. The exampleratings calculator 228 determines a number of audience members presentat the site 102 during the presentation (e.g., using any past, present,and/or future method(s) of counting audience members) and adds thenumber of audience members to the determination of total ratings for theidentified media. In another example, the ratings calculator 228determines that another media presentation at the panelist household isa non-linear presentation of media. The example ratings calculator 228determines a number of audience members present at the site 102 duringthe presentation and adds the number of audience members to adetermination of a non-linear audience of the media (e.g., an onlineaudience, a time-shifted audience, etc.). By differentiating between thelinear and non-linear media presentations for determining ratings ofmedia, the example ratings calculator 228 can provide a more accuratemeasurement of the viewership of media other than the media of interestto the viewer, such as advertisements, presented intermittently with aprogram or other media.

While the example linear/non-linear media identifier 112 of FIG. 2 isdescribed above as including the log generator 202, any of the sitemeters 114, 115 associated with the presentation site 102 and/or thereference sites 106, 108 may include a corresponding log generator 202to generate presentation log(s) and/or reference log(s). In suchexamples, the system 100 may conserve network resources by reducing(e.g., transforming, representing) the presented media streams and/orthe reference media streams to representative logs and/or mediaidentifying information, instead of providing the entireties of themedia streams to the linear/non-linear media identifier 112 forconversion to presentation log(s) and/or reference log(s). In someexamples, one or more of the reference site(s) 106, 108 are co-locatedwith the linear/non-linear media identifier 112 such that thelinear/non-linear media identifier 112 receives media (e.g., audioand/or video) from the site meter(s) 115.

While an example manner of implementing the linear/non-linear mediaidentifier 112 of FIG. 1 is illustrated in FIG. 2, one or more of theelements, processes and/or devices illustrated in FIGS. 1 and/or 2 maybe combined, divided, re-arranged, omitted, eliminated and/orimplemented in any other way. Further, the example site meters 114, 115,the example mobile media presentation device 116, the example computingdevice 120, the example device meter 130, the example log generator 202,the example log collector 204, the example log comparator 206, theexample presentation classifier 208, the example lineup interpreter 210,the example storage device 212, the example network interface 214, theexample code matcher 216, the example signature generator 218, theexample signature matcher 220, the example cue tone identifier 222, theexample blank frame identifier 224, the example logo identifier 226, theexample ratings calculator 228 and/or, more generally, the examplelinear/non-linear media identifier 112 and/or the example system 100 ofFIGS. 1 and/or 2 may be implemented by hardware, software, firmwareand/or any combination of hardware, software and/or firmware. Thus, forexample, any of the example site meters 114, 115, the example mobilemedia presentation device 116, the example computing device 120, theexample device meter 130, the example log generator 202, the example logcollector 204, the example log comparator 206, the example presentationclassifier 208, the example lineup interpreter 210, the example storagedevice 212, the example network interface 214, the example code matcher216, the example signature generator 218, the example signature matcher220, the example cue tone identifier 222, the example blank frameidentifier 224, the example logo identifier 226, the example ratingscalculator 228 and/or, more generally, the example linear/non-linearmedia identifier 112 and/or the example system 100 could be implementedby one or more analog or digital circuit(s), logic circuits,programmable processor(s), application specific integrated circuit(s)(ASIC(s)), programmable logic device(s) (PLD(s)) and/or fieldprogrammable logic device(s) (FPLD(s)). When reading any of theapparatus or system claims of this patent to cover a purely softwareand/or firmware implementation, at least one of the example site meters114, 115, the example mobile media presentation device 116, the examplecomputing device 120, the example device meter 130, the example loggenerator 202, the example log collector 204, the example log comparator206, the example presentation classifier 208, the example lineupinterpreter 210, the example storage device 212, the example networkinterface 214, the example code matcher 216, the example signaturegenerator 218, the example signature matcher 220, the example cue toneidentifier 222, the example blank frame identifier 224, the example logoidentifier 226, and/or the example ratings calculator 228 is/are herebyexpressly defined to include a tangible computer readable storage deviceor storage disk such as a memory, a digital versatile disk (DVD), acompact disk (CD), a Blu-ray disk, etc. storing the software and/orfirmware. Further still, the example linear/non-linear media identifier112 of FIGS. 1 and/or 2 may include one or more elements, processesand/or devices in addition to, or instead of, those illustrated in FIG.2, and/or may include more than one of any or all of the illustratedelements, processes and devices.

Flowcharts representative of example machine readable instructions forimplementing the linear/non-linear media identifier 112, the site meters114, 115, the media presentation devices 116, 120, the device meters130, the example log generator 202, the example log collector 204, theexample log comparator 206, the example presentation classifier 208, theexample lineup interpreter 210, the example storage device 212, theexample network interface 214, the example code matcher 216, the examplesignature generator 218, the example signature matcher 220, the examplecue tone identifier 222, the example blank frame identifier 224, theexample logo identifier 226, and/or the example ratings calculator 228of FIGS. 1 and 2 are shown in FIGS. 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, and/or15. In this example, the machine readable instructions comprise programsfor execution by a processor such as the processor 1612 shown in theexample processor platform 1600 discussed below in connection with FIG.6. The programs may be embodied in software stored on a tangiblecomputer readable storage medium such as a CD-ROM, a floppy disk, a harddrive, a digital versatile disk (DVD), a Blu-ray disk, or a memoryassociated with the processor 1612, but the entire programs and/or partsthereof could alternatively be executed by a device other than theprocessor 1612 and/or embodied in firmware or dedicated hardware.Further, although the example programs are described with reference tothe flowcharts illustrated in FIGS. 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, and 15,many other methods of implementing the example linear/non-linear mediaidentifier 112, the site meters 114, 115, the media presentation devices116, 120, the device meters 130, the example log generator 202, theexample log collector 204, the example log comparator 206, the examplepresentation classifier 208, the example lineup interpreter 210, theexample storage device 212, the example network interface 214, theexample code matcher 216, the example signature generator 218, theexample signature matcher 220, the example cue tone identifier 222, theexample blank frame identifier 224, the example logo identifier 226,and/or the example ratings calculator 228 may alternatively be used. Forexample, the order of execution of the blocks may be changed, and/orsome of the blocks described may be changed, eliminated, or combined.

As mentioned above, the example processes of FIGS. 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12,13, 14, and/or 15 may be implemented using coded instructions (e.g.,computer and/or machine readable instructions) stored on a tangiblecomputer readable storage medium such as a hard disk drive, a flashmemory, a read-only memory (ROM), a compact disk (CD), a digitalversatile disk (DVD), a cache, a random-access memory (RAM) and/or anyother storage device or storage disk in which information is stored forany duration (e.g., for extended time periods, permanently, for briefinstances, for temporarily buffering, and/or for caching of theinformation). As used herein, the term tangible computer readablestorage medium is expressly defined to include any type of computerreadable storage device and/or storage disk and to exclude propagatingsignals and to exclude transmission media. As used herein, “tangiblecomputer readable storage medium” and “tangible machine readable storagemedium” are used interchangeably. Additionally or alternatively, theexample processes of FIGS. 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, and/or 15 may beimplemented using coded instructions (e.g., computer and/or machinereadable instructions) stored on a non-transitory computer and/ormachine readable medium such as a hard disk drive, a flash memory, aread-only memory, a compact disk, a digital versatile disk, a cache, arandom-access memory and/or any other storage device or storage disk inwhich information is stored for any duration (e.g., for extended timeperiods, permanently, for brief instances, for temporarily buffering,and/or for caching of the information). As used herein, the termnon-transitory computer readable medium is expressly defined to includeany type of computer readable storage device and/or storage disk and toexclude propagating signals and to exclude transmission media. As usedherein, when the phrase “at least” is used as the transition term in apreamble of a claim, it is open-ended in the same manner as the term“comprising” is open ended.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart representative of example machine readableinstructions 700 that may be performed by the example linear/non-linearmedia identifier 112 of FIGS. 1 and/or 2 to identify linear and/ornon-linear media presentations.

The example linear/non-linear media identifier 112 generates (e.g., viathe log generator 202 of FIG. 2) a reference log that includesindications of reference program media and reference non-program media,and the times at which the reference program media and referencenon-program media were presented (block 702). Example reference logs300, 400 that may be generated by the linear/non-linear media identifier112 are disclosed above with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4. Exampleinstructions that may be performed to implement block 702 are disclosedbelow with reference to FIG. 8.

The example linear/non-linear media identifier 112 obtains a mediapresentation log including indications of monitored program media andtimes at which the monitored program media were observed (block 704). Insome examples, the log collector 204 of FIG. 2 receives the mediapresentation log from a site meter 114 and/or from a media presentationdevice 116, 120 (e.g., via the network 132 of FIG. 1 and/or the networkinterface 214 of FIG. 2). In some other examples, the log generator 202generates the media presentation log from media identifying informationreceived from a presentation site 102. Example instructions that may beperformed to implement block 704 are disclosed below with reference toFIG. 8. Example media presentation logs 500, 600 that may be generatedor received by the linear/non-linear media identifier 112 are disclosedabove with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6.

The example linear/non-linear media identifier 112 determines whetherthe monitored program media correspond to a linear media presentation ora non-linear media presentation (block 706). For example, the logcomparator 206 compares program media and/or non-program media in themedia presentation log to reference logs to determine matching sets ofpresentation log events and reference log events. The examplepresentation classifier 208 applies matching rules to determine whethermatches between program media and non-program media indicate that themedia presentation logs reflect linear media presentations or non-linearmedia presentations. Example instructions that may be performed toimplement block 706 are disclosed below with reference to FIG. 13.

The example linear/non-linear media identifier 112 determines whetherthere are additional media presentation logs to be processed (block708). If there are additional media presentation logs (block 708),control returns to block 704 to obtain another media presentation log.When there are no additional media presentation logs to be processed(block 708), the example linear/non-linear media identifier 112generates ratings information for linear presentations of program mediaand non-linear presentations of program media (block 710). For example,the ratings calculator 228 of FIG. 2 may determine a number of linearpresentations and a number of non-linear presentations of an item ofprogram media by counting identified linear presentations having aselected media identifier. The example ratings calculator 228 furtherdetermines ratings information by extrapolating or scaling the linearpresentations into ratings for linear viewership containing first set(s)of non-program media. The example ratings calculator 228 determinesnon-linear presentation audiences (e.g., online audiences) byextrapolating or scaling the non-linear presentations and theirrespective audiences into ratings for non-linear viewership using ascaling factor (e.g., based on the panel representation of a populationof interest).

By performing the example instructions 700 of FIG. 7, the examplelinear/non-linear media identifier 112 can provide, among other things,a calculation of the audience of advertisements for linear presentationsof a program (e.g., to provide advertisers with an accurate estimationof the audience of the advertisements presented during the linearpresentation of the media), a calculation of the audience of non-linear(e.g., on demand, time-shifted, etc.) presentations of the program(e.g., to determine audience interest in on demand or other non-linearmodes of viewing), and/or a calculation of a total linear and non-linearaudience of the program (e.g., to determine a total interest orpopularity of a media item).

FIG. 8 is a flowchart representative of example machine readableinstructions 800 that may be performed by the example linear/non-linearmedia identifier 112, the site meters 115, and/or the log generator 202of FIGS. 1 and/or 2 to generate a reference log and/or a presentationlog. The example instructions 800 of FIG. 8 may be performed the loggenerator 202 included in the example linear/non-linear media identifier112 or the example site meters 115 of FIG. 1 to implement block 702 ofFIG. 7 to generate a reference log and/or block 704 of FIG. 7 to obtain(e.g., generate) a presentation log.

The example log generator 202 of FIG. 2 receives (e.g., via the loggenerator 202) media input from one or more reference sites (e.g., thereference sites 106, 108, the site meters 115) (block 802). Examplemedia input includes audio and/or video distributed by the mediadistributor(s) 110 on one or more channels. The example log generator202 determines source information for the received media (block 804).For example, the log generator 202 may identify or receive channelinformation for the channel on which the received media is distributed.

The example code matcher 216 of FIG. 2 detects and timestamps codes(e.g., watermarks) present in the received media (block 806). Forexample, the code matcher 216 may extract codes embedded in an audiochannel of the received media that are used for audience measurement.The code matcher 216 may detect multiple codes (e.g., program mediacodes and/or non-program media codes) and/or multiple instances of thesame code(s) during a media presentation. In some examples, determiningthe source information in block 804 is based on decoding codes capturedby the code matcher 216.

The example signature generator 218 of FIG. 2 generates and timestampssignatures representative of the received media (block 808). Forexample, the signature generator 218 may repeatedly generate signaturesof the audio and/or video channels of the received media to characterizethe media presentation, including program media and non-program mediapresent in the received media.

The example cue tone identifier 222 detects and timestamps cue tone(s)present in the received media (block 810). For example, the cue toneidentifier 222 may monitor the primary and/or secondary audio channelsfor cue tones and timestamp the occurrences of cue tones in the audiochannel(s) of the received media.

The example blank frame identifier 224 detects and timestamps blankframes present in the received media (block 812). For example, the blankframe identifier 224 may identify blank frames, black frames, and/or anyother frame(s) used to indicate or cue the insertion of advertisements.

The example logo identifier 226 detects and timestamps logo(s) presentin the received media (block 814). For example, the logo identifier 226detects logos present in program media by detecting a portion of a videochannel of the received media that does not change for a threshold time.The example logo identifier 226 timestamps the beginning and/or the endof the time range that the logo is detected in the received media.

The example log generator 202 of FIG. 2 detects and timestamps any otherpast, present, and/or future indicia of program media and/or non-programmedia that are present in the received media (block 816). Examples ofsuch indicia include future cue symbols for insertion of non-programmedia and/or digitally transmitted messages demarcating and/oridentifying program media and/or non-program media.

The example code matcher 216, the example signature generator 218, theexample cue tone identifier 222, the example blank frame identifier 224,the example logo identifier 226 and/or, more generally, the loggenerator 202 of FIG. 2 store the code(s), signature(s), blank frame(s),cue tone(s), logo(s), and/or miscellaneous indicia in the storage device212 with the corresponding timestamps (and/or time ranges) and thecorresponding source information for the received media (block 818). Theexample code(s), signature(s), blank frame(s), cue tone(s), logo(s),and/or miscellaneous indicia, as well as the timestamps and sourceinformation, may constitute a reference log such as the reference logs300, 400 of FIGS. 3 and 4 and/or a presentation log such as thepresentation logs 500, 600 of FIGS. 5 and 6.

The example log generator 202 determines whether to process the storedmedia identifying information (block 820). For example, the loggenerator 202 may process the stored media identifying information(e.g., to identify the media based on the media identifying informationstored in block 818) continuously or substantially continuously, atdesignated intervals, and/or in response to a request to process thestored media identifying information. If the log generator 202 is to notprocess the stored media identifying information (block 820), controlreturns to block 802 to receive media from the reference sites 106, 108.

When the example log generator 202 determines that it is to process thestored media identifying information (block 820), the log generator 202classifies media as program media and/or non-program media using thestored media identifying information (block 822). For example, the loggenerator 202 may use any of the code(s), signature(s), blank frame(s),cue tone(s), logo(s), and/or miscellaneous indicia, and thecorresponding timestamps and source information, to identify portions ofthe received media as program media and/or to identify portions of thereceived media as non-program media. Example instructions that may beperformed by the log generator 202, separately and/or in combination, toidentify program media and/or non-program media from the stored mediaidentifying information are described below with reference to FIGS. 9,10, 11, and 12.

After identifying the program media and non-program media (block 822),the example lineup interpreter 210 determines whether lineup data hasbeen received (block 824). For example, a lineup containing a listing ofprograms being presented at the times and media sources accessible tothe presentation site 102 and the reference sites 106, 108 may bereceived from the media distributor 110. Example lineup informationincludes a title of a program, the time slot during which the program isdistributed, a source of the program and, for some program media, anidentifier of an episode of a program. If lineup data has been received(block 824), the example lineup interpreter 210 processes the lineupdata to identify the program media (block 826). For example, the lineupinterpreter 210 may add a media identifier for the program media to thereference log based on the timestamp(s) and/or source identifier(s) ofthe program media. Such media identifiers may be assigned by a programowner or distributor and/or by an audience measurement entity. In theexample of FIG. 8, the lineup interpreter 210 does not identify thenon-program media because non-program media identification informationis not provided in the lineup data. However, the lineup interpreter 210may identify the non-program media in the reference log using a lineupthat identifies non-program media.

After processing the lineup data to identify the program media (block826), or if lineup data has not been received (block 824), controlreturns to block 802 to continue receiving media and generating and/orupdating the reference log(s). In addition or as an alternative tocontinuously generating the reference log, control returns to block 704of FIG. 7 to obtain the media presentation log.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart representative of example machine readableinstructions 900 that may be performed by the example linear/non-linearmedia identifier 112 of FIGS. 1 and/or 2 to classify media as programmedia and/or non-program media based on matching codes. The exampleinstructions 900 may be performed by the example code matcher 216 toimplement block 822 of FIG. 8, alone or in combination with any of theexample instructions of FIGS. 10, 11, and/or 12.

The example code matcher 216 of FIG. 2 selects a stored code (e.g.,stored in the storage device 212 of FIG. 2) (block 902). For example,the code matcher 216 may select a code and corresponding timestampdetected in block 806 and/or stored in block 818 of FIG. 8). The codematcher 216 searches a code database (e.g., a code database implementedby the storage device 212) for a code matching the selected code (block904). For example, the code database may include reference codes andmedia identifiers corresponding to the reference codes. In some examplesin which the reference code represents a source identifier, the codematcher 216 may search the code database based on the source identifierand the corresponding timestamp.

If the example code matcher 216 determines that the selected codematches a reference code corresponding to program media (block 906), theexample code matcher 216 generates a reference log entry including atimestamp, the media identifier corresponding to the matching referencecode (e.g., in the code database), and an indication that the code isassociated with program media (block 908). Examples of reference logentries that may be generated in block 908 are entries 302, 312, 402,and 412 of FIGS. 3 and 4.

If the example code matcher 216 determines that the selected code doesnot match a reference code corresponding to program media (block 906),but determines that the selected code matches a reference codecorresponding to non-program media (block 910), the example code matcher216 generates a reference log entry including a timestamp, the mediaidentifier corresponding to the matching reference code (e.g., in thecode database), and an indication that the code is associated withnon-program media (block 912). Examples of reference log entries thatmay be generated in block 912 are entries 304, 306, 308, 310, 404, 406,408, and 410 of FIGS. 3 and 4.

If the example code matcher 216 of FIG. 2 determines that the selectedcode does not match a reference code corresponding to program media(block 906) or a reference code corresponding to non-program media(block 910), the code matcher 216 generates a unique media identifier(e.g., a media identifier not used to identify any other media) andstores the generated media identifier in the code database inassociation with the selected code (block 914). By storing the code andthe generated media identifier in the code database, the example codematcher 216 enables the matching of unknown media insubsequently-processed events in presentation logs based on extractedcodes. The example code matcher 216 generates a reference log entryincluding a timestamp, the generated unique media identifiercorresponding to the selected code (e.g., in the code database), and anindication that the code is associated with non-program media (block916).

The example code matcher 216 determines whether there are additionalcodes in the stored media identifying information (block 918). If thereare additional codes (block 918), control returns to block 902 to selectanother code. When there are no more codes (block 918), the exampleinstructions 900 of FIG. 9 end and control returns to block 824 of FIG.8 and/or to block 822 to process additional types of media identifyinginformation.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart representative of example machine readableinstructions 1000 that may be performed by the example linear/non-linearmedia identifier of FIGS. 1 and/or 2 to identify program media andnon-program media based on matching signatures. The example instructions1000 may be performed by the example signature matcher 220 to implementblock 822 of FIG. 8, alone or in combination with any of the exampleinstructions of FIGS. 9, 11, and/or 12.

The example signature matcher 220 of FIG. 2 selects a stored signature(e.g., stored in the storage device 212 of FIG. 2) (block 1002). Forexample, the signature matcher 220 may select a signature andcorresponding timestamp generated by the signature generator 218 inblock 808 and/or stored in block 818 of FIG. 8). The signature matcher220 searches a signature database (e.g., a signature databaseimplemented by the storage device 212) for a signature matching theselected signature (block 1004). For example, the signature database mayinclude reference signatures and media identifiers corresponding to thereference signatures.

If the example signature matcher 220 determines that the selectedsignature matches a reference signature corresponding to program media(block 1006), the example signature matcher 220 generates a referencelog entry including a timestamp, the media identifier corresponding tothe matching reference signature (e.g., in the signature database), andan indication that the signature is associated with program media (block1008). Examples of reference log entries that may be generated in block1008 are entries 302, 312, 402, and 412 of FIGS. 3 and 4.

If the example signature matcher 220 determines that the selectedsignature does not match a reference signature corresponding to programmedia (block 1006), but determines that the selected signature matches areference signature corresponding to non-program media (block 1010), theexample signature matcher 220 generates a reference log entry includinga timestamp, the media identifier corresponding to the matchingreference signature (e.g., in the code database), and an indication thatthe signature is associated with non-program media (block 1012).Examples of reference log entries that may be generated in block 1012are entries 304, 306, 308, 310, 404, 406, 408, and 410 of FIGS. 3 and 4.

If the example signature matcher 220 of FIG. 2 determines that theselected signature does not match a reference signature corresponding toprogram media (block 1006) or a reference signature corresponding tonon-program media (block 1010), the signature matcher 220 generates aunique media identifier (e.g., a media identifier not used to identifyany other media) and stores the generated media identifier in thesignature database in association with the selected signature (block1014). By storing the signature and the generated media identifier inthe signature database, the example signature matcher 220 enables thematching of unknown media in any presentation logs based on extractedsignatures. The example signature matcher 220 generates a reference logentry including a timestamp, the generated unique media identifiercorresponding to the selected signature (e.g., in the signaturedatabase), and an indication that the signature is associated withnon-program media (block 1016).

The example signature matcher 220 determines whether there areadditional signatures in the stored media identifying information (block1018). If there are additional signatures (block 1018), control returnsto block 1002 to select another signature. When there are no moresignatures (block 1018), the example instructions 1000 of FIG. 10 endand control returns to block 824 of FIG. 8 and/or to block 822 toprocess additional types of media identifying information.

While the example blocks 1006, 1008, 1010, 1012, 1014, and 1016 aredescribed above with reference to individual signatures, the examplesignature matcher 220 may perform any or all of blocks 1006-1012 usingmultiple signatures. For example, the signature matcher 220 maydetermine whether sets of signatures (e.g., consecutive sets and/ornon-consecutive sets) match sets of signatures in the signaturedatabase. Using sets of signatures for matching to reference signaturesmay reduce the likelihood of false matches. In some examples, thesignature matcher 220 identifies sets of signatures as signaturesoccurring between stored media identifying information, such as cuetones and/or blank frames, and/or sets of signatures occurring (or notoccurring) during a same time duration as a logo is detected or a samecode is identified. Using sets of signatures occurring between otherstored media identifying information may increase the likelihood thatthe signatures are generated from same program media and/or samenon-program media.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart representative of example machine readableinstructions 1100 that may be performed by the example linear/non-linearmedia identifier 112 of FIGS. 1 and/or 2 to identify program media andnon-program media based on blank frames and/or cue tones. The exampleinstructions 1100 may be performed by the example cue tone identifier222 and/or the blank frame identifier 224 to implement block 822 of FIG.8, alone or in combination with any of the example instructions of FIGS.9, 10, and/or 12. The example instructions 1100 of FIG. 11 may beperformed by the example cue tone identifier 222 to identify programmedia and non-program media based on cue tones and/or by the blank frameidentifier 224 to identify program media and non-program media based onblank frames. While the example instructions 1100 are discussed belowwith reference to blank frames and the blank frame identifier 224, theexample instructions 1100 may be modified to replace the blank framesand the blank frame identifier 224 with cue tones and the cue toneidentifier 222, respectively.

The example blank frame identifier 224 selects a stored blank frame(block 1102). For example, the blank frame identifier 224 may select ablank frame and corresponding timestamp identified by the blank frameidentifier 224 in block 812 and/or stored in block 818 of FIG. 8). Theexample blank frame identifier 224 identifies a stored blank framehaving a next timestamp following the timestamp of the selected blankframe (block 1104). In other words, the next stored blank frameoccurring after the selected blank frame.

The example blank frame identifier 224 determines whether there areintervening signature(s) and/or codes having timestamp(s) falling in therange between the timestamps of the selected blank frame (from block1102) and the identified blank frame (from block 1104) (block 1106).Because blank frames and cue tones indicate the insertion points fornon-program media, the occurrence of generated signatures and extractedcodes between the blank frames and/or cue tones may be used to reliablyidentify the media occurring between those insertion points as distinctmedia items. If there are intervening signature(s) and/or code(s) (block1106), the example code matcher 216 and/or the example signature matcher220 determine whether the intervening signature(s) and/or code(s) matchwith program media (block 1108).

If the intervening signature(s) and/or code(s) do not match with programmedia (block 1108), the example code matcher 216 and/or the examplesignature matcher 220 determine whether the intervening signature(s)and/or code(s) match with non-program media (block 1110). If theintervening signature(s) and/or code(s) match with non-program media(block 1110), the example blank frame identifier 224 generates areference log entry including the timestamp of the selected stored blankframe (and/or the time range between the timestamps of the selectedstored blank frame and the identified stored blank frame), the mediaidentifier corresponding to the matching reference signature(s) and/orcode(s), and an indication that the time range is associated withnon-program media (block 1112). On the other hand, if the interveningsignature(s) and/or code(s) match with program media (block 1108), theexample blank frame identifier 224 generates a reference log entryincluding the timestamp of the selected stored blank frame (and/or thetime range between the timestamps of the selected stored blank frame andthe identified stored blank frame), the media identifier correspondingto the matching reference signature(s) and/or code(s), and an indicationthat the time range is associated with program media (block 1114).

If the intervening signature(s) and/or code(s) do not match programmedia (block 1108) and do not match non-program media (block 1110), orif there are no intervening signature(s) and no intervening code(s)(block 1106), the example blank frame identifier 224 determines whetherthe range between the timestamps is greater than a non-program mediatime threshold (block 1116). For example, because non-program media istypically presented in 15-second, 30-second, and/or 60-second blocks andblank frames may cue each non-program media item in a set of non-programmedia items (e.g., occur at the beginning of a commercial segment andbetween commercials in the commercial segment), time ranges of less than60 seconds (or another threshold) between blank frames may indicate thatthe time range between the blank frames is non-program media. If therange between the timestamps is not greater than the non-program mediatime threshold (block 1116), the example blank frame identifier 224generates a reference log entry including the range between thetimestamps (e.g., the timestamps of the selected stored blank frame andthe identified stored blank frame), a unique media identifier, and anindication that the range is associated with non-program media (block1118). On the other hand, if the range between the timestamps is greaterthan the non-program media time threshold (block 1116), the exampleblank frame identifier 224 generates a reference log entry including therange between the timestamps (e.g., the timestamps of the selectedstored blank frame and the identified stored blank frame), a uniquemedia identifier, and an indication that the range is associated withnon-program media (block 1120).

After generating a reference log entry (block 1112, block 1114, block1118, or block 1120), the example blank frame identifier 224 determineswhether there are additional blank frames (block 1122). If there areadditional blank frames (block 1122), control returns to block 1102 toselect another stored blank frame (e.g., the identified stored blankframe of block 1104 or another stored blank frame). When there are nomore blank frames (block 1122), the example instructions 1100 of FIG. 11end and control returns to block 824 of FIG. 8 and/or to block 822 toprocess additional types of media identifying information.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart representative of example machine readableinstructions 1200 that may be performed by the example linear/non-linearmedia identifier of FIGS. 1 and/or 2 to identify program media andnon-program media based on logos. The example instructions 900 may beperformed by the example logo identifier 226 to implement block 822 ofFIG. 8, alone or in combination with any of the example instructions ofFIGS. 9, 10, and/or 11.

The example logo identifier 226 selects stored media identifyinginformation (e.g., a stored code, a stored generated signature, a storedcue tone, a stored blank frame, a stored logo, etc.) (block 1202). Thelogo identifier 226 identifies stored media identifying information(e.g., a stored code, a stored generated signature, a stored cue tone, astored blank frame, a stored logo, etc.) having a next timestamp afterthe timestamp of the selected media identifying information (block1204). The example logo identifier 226 determines a time range betweenthe timestamps of the selected media identifying information (from block1202) and the identified media identifying information (from block 1204)(block 1206).

The example logo identifier 226 determines whether the selected mediaidentifying information includes an identified logo (block 1208). If theselected media identifying information includes a logo (block 1208), thelogo identifier 226 generates a reference log entry including the timerange of the selected media identifying information, a media identifier,and an indication that the time range is associated with program media(block 1210). On the other hand, if the selected media identifyinginformation does not include an identified logo (block 1208), theexample logo identifier 226 generates a reference log entry includingthe time range of the selected media identifying information, a mediaidentifier, and an indication that the time range is associated withnon-program media (block 1212).

After generating a reference log entry (block 1210 or block 1212), theexample logo identifier 226 determines whether there is additionalstored media identifying information (block 1214). If there isadditional stored media identifying information (block 1214), controlreturns to block 1202 to select next stored media identifyinginformation. When there is no more stored media identifying information(block 1214), the example instructions 1200 of FIG. 12 end and controlreturns to block 824 of FIG. 8 and/or to block 822 to process additionaltypes of media identifying information.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart representative of example machine readableinstructions 1300 that may be performed by the example linear/non-linearmedia identifier 112 of FIGS. 1 and/or 2 to determine whether programmedia corresponds to a linear or non-linear media presentation. Theinstructions 1300 of FIG. 13 may be performed by the example logcomparator 206 of FIG. 2 to implement block 706 of FIG. 7.

The example log comparator 206 selects a media presentation log entry(block 1302). For example, the log comparator 206 may select one of theexample log entries 502-512, 602 of FIGS. 5 and/or 6. The log comparator206 determines linear media sources corresponding to the timestamp ofthe selected log entry (block 1304). For example, the log comparator 206identifies the reference log entries generated based on media monitoredat the reference site(s) 106, 108 at the same time(s) as the timestampand/or time range of the selected log entry. In some examples, the logcomparator 206 may limit the identified media to reference log entrieshaving durations that are similar, identical, or substantially identicalto the duration of the selected media presentation log entry. In theexample of the log entry 502 of FIG. 5, the log comparator 206 maydetermine the program media and/or non-program media presented on mediasources available to the presentation site 102 between 9:00:00 and9:10:00 on Nov. 13, 2013 and/or the program media and/or non-programmedia (and/or contiguous portions of the media) having a duration ofapproximately 10 minutes.

The example log comparator 206 selects one of the identified linearmedia sources (block 1306) and determines whether the selected mediapresentation log entry matches the selected linear media source (block1108). For example, the log comparator 206 may determine whether theselected media presentation log entry and a reference log entrygenerated from the selected media source have a same media identifierand substantially a same timestamp, time range, and/or time duration. Ifthe selected media presentation log entry matches the selected linearmedia source (block 1308), the example log comparator 206 determinesthat the media presentation log entry matches a linear mediapresentation (block 1310). The log comparator 206 may determine a matchto include matching all of the log fields, one or more key (e.g.,controlling) log fields, or a threshold portion of the log fields.

If the selected media presentation log entry does not match the selectedlinear media source (block 1308), the log comparator 206 determineswhether there are additional identified linear media sources (block1312). If there are additional linear media sources for comparison(block 1312), control returns to block 1306 to select another linearmedia source.

If there are no additional linear media sources (block 1312), theexample log comparator 206 searches a media source database for mediasources matching the selected log entry (block 1314). For example, thelog comparator 206 may search the storage device 212 for reference logentries having a matching media identifier, but possibly having adifferent timestamp and/or a different time duration. For example,searching the media source database may identify a media sourceoccurring at a prior time or a media source that is an on-demand orother user-controlled media source. If a matching media source isidentified in the database (block 1314), the example log comparator 206determines that the selected media presentation log entry matches anon-linear media presentation (block 1318).

After determining that the selected media presentation log entry matchesa linear presentation (block 1310) or matches a non-linear presentation(block 1318), or if a matching media source is not identified (block1316), the log comparator 206 determines whether there are additionalmedia presentation log entries (block 1320). If there are additionalmedia presentation log entries (block 1320), control returns to block1302 to select another media presentation log entry. When there are nomore media presentation log entries (block 1320), the examplepresentation classifier 208 applies linear media presentation rules to,for example, classify the matching linear media sources and/ornon-linear media sources as linear media presentations and/or non-linearmedia presentations (block 1322). Example instructions that may beperformed by the presentation classifier 208 to implement block 1322 aredescribed below with reference to FIG. 14. After applying the linearpresentation rules (block 1322), the example instructions 1300 of FIG.13 end and control returns to block 708 of FIG. 7.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart representative of example machine readableinstructions 1400 that may be performed by the example linear/non-linearmedia identifier of FIGS. 1 and/or 2 to apply linear media presentationrules to determine whether program media corresponds to a linear ornon-linear media presentation. The example instructions 1400 of FIG. 14may be performed by the presentation classifier 208 of FIG. 2 toimplement block 1322 of FIG. 13.

The example presentation classifier 208 of FIG. 2 (or the example logcomparator 206) aggregates media presentation log entries matchinglinear media presentations based on time ranges (block 1402). Forexample, the presentation classifier 208 may aggregate consecutive mediapresentation log entries having a same media identifier into a singleentry with a single contiguous time range. In some examples, thepresentation classifier aggregates or groups media presentation logentries associated with program media and having the same mediaidentifier (e.g., the log entries 502 and 512 of FIG. 5), and anyintervening media presentation log entries associated with non-programmedia (e.g., the log entries 504-510 of FIG. 5 occurring betweenportions of the program media identified in the log entries 502 and512). In some examples, aggregation of log entries is omitted. In suchexamples, the linear classification rules may be modified to, forexample, set an appropriate threshold for matching entries to classify apresentation as linear.

The example presentation classifier 208 selects an aggregated mediapresentation log entry (e.g., an aggregated log entry or group ofaggregated log entries) (block 1404). The presentation classifier 208may alternatively select a media presentation log entry that has notbeen aggregated from other media presentation log entries (e.g., the logentry 602 of FIG. 6). The presentation classifier 208 determines areference time range and a media source corresponding to the selectedlog entry (block 1406). For example, the presentation classifier 208determines the channel and time range of the linear media source thatmatches the media identifier of the selected log entry. In the examplegroup of log entries 502-512 of FIG. 5, the example presentationclassifier 208 determines the channel of the linear media source to bethe media source A102 and the time range of presentation to be Nov. 12,2013, from 8:00:00-8:21:00 from the example reference log 400 of FIG. 4based on the media identifiers P5545, N3523, N9877, N6545, and N2123 inthe entries 502-512. In the example log entry 602 of FIG. 6, the examplepresentation classifier 208 determines the channel of the linear mediasource to be the media source A102 and the time range to be Nov. 12,2013, from 8:00:00-8:21:00 from the example reference log 400 of FIG. 4based on the media identifier P5545 in the event 602.

The example presentation classifier 208 determines whether theaggregated time range of the selected aggregated media presentation logentry satisfies a threshold length of non-program media (block 1408).Block 1408 corresponds to an example linear media presentation rulespecifying that media presentations not satisfying a threshold length ofnon-program media are likely to be non-linear media presentations suchas on-demand and/or subscription presentations.

If the aggregated time range of the selected aggregated mediapresentation log entry has at least a threshold length of non-programmedia (block 1408), the example presentation classifier 208 determineswhether the aggregated time range of the selected aggregated mediapresentation log entry has less than a threshold time offset from thereference time range (block 1410). Block 1410 corresponds to an examplelinear media presentation rule specifying that media presentations thatare less than a threshold time offset from reference media presentationsmay be due to factors such as clock offsets between the site meters 114,115, or instances in which an audience member pauses a linearpresentation for a short time using a DVR pause feature of a set topbox. For example, the presentation classifier 208 may compare the mediaoffset field 520 of the selected log entry 502 or 602 to a thresholdrepresentative of an upper expected clock mismatch between the sitemeters 114 and the site meters 115 of FIG. 1. In some examples, such asexample systems that implement a synchronization routine between sitemeters 114, 115, the example rule and/or block 1410 may be omitted.

If the aggregated time range of the selected aggregated mediapresentation log entry has at least a threshold time offset from thereference time range (block 1410), the example presentation classifier208 determines whether at least a threshold portion of the non-programmedia during the time range of the selected aggregated mediapresentation log entry (or group of entries) match correspondingnon-program media presented by the media source during the referencetime range (block 1412). Block 1412 corresponds to an example linearmedia presentation rule specifying that a media presentation that has atleast a threshold percentage of matching non-program media (e.g.,advertisements) is considered a linear media presentation. For example,if a linear media presentation is time-shifted from its originallyscheduled presentation time to a later time, but the non-program mediawere also recorded and presented during the time-shifted presentation,the linear media presentation may be validly credited with thetime-shifted presentation because at least a threshold percentage of thenon-program media (e.g., advertisements) were presented instead of beingskipped.

If at least the threshold percentage of the non-program media during thetime range of the selected aggregated media presentation log entry (orgroup of entries) match corresponding non-program media presented by themedia source during the reference time range (block 1412), and/or if thetime range of the selected aggregated media presentation log entry hasless than a threshold time offset from the reference time range (block1410), the example presentation classifier 208 determines or classifiesthe selected aggregated media presentation log entry (or group ofentries) to correspond to a linear media presentation (block 1414).Conversely, if less than the threshold percentage of the non-programmedia during the time range of the selected aggregated mediapresentation log entry (or group of entries) match correspondingnon-program media presented by the media source during the referencetime range (block 1412), and/or if the time range of the selectedaggregated media presentation log entry has less than a threshold lengthof non-program media (block 1408), the example presentation classifier208 determines or classifies the selected aggregated media presentationlog entry (or group of entries) to correspond to a non-linear mediapresentation (block 1416).

After classifying the selected aggregated media presentation log entryas a linear media presentation (block 1414) or as a non-linear mediapresentation (block 1416), the example presentation classifier 208determines whether there are additional aggregated media presentationlog entries to be classified (block 1418). If there are additionalaggregated media presentation log entries (block 1418), control returnsto block 1404 to select a next aggregated log entry. When there are nomore aggregated media presentation log entries (block 1418), the exampleinstructions 1400 of FIG. 14 end and control returns to block 708 ofFIG. 7.

While example linear media presentation rules are disclosed andimplemented in FIG. 14 by determining that a media presentationcorresponds to a linear or non-linear media presentation based onmatching a rule, in other examples the instructions 1400 implement aweight system in which each of the rules applies a corresponding weightor value to the determination of a linear or non-linear mediapresentation. If the total weight after matching the applicable rules isgreater than (or equal to) a threshold, the example presentationclassifier 208 determines that the selected aggregated mediapresentation log entry corresponds to a linear media presentation.Conversely, if the total weight after matching the applicable rules isless than (or equal to) a threshold, the example presentation classifier208 determines that the selected aggregated media presentation log entrycorresponds to a non-linear media presentation. Furthermore, any otherrules indicative of whether the selected aggregated media presentationlog entry is a linear or non-linear media presentation may be included.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart representative of example machine readableinstructions 1500 that may be performed by any of the example sitemeters 114, 115, the example media presentation devices 116, 120, and/orthe example device meters 130 of FIG. 1 to provide media presentationinformation to the linear/non-linear media identifier 112 of FIGS. 1and/or 2. The example instructions 1500 of FIG. 15 will be describedbelow with reference to the example device meter 130, including a loggenerator such as the log generator 202 of FIG. 2, and the example mediapresentation device 120.

The example media presentation device 116 of FIG. 1 receives (e.g., viathe log generator 202) media to be presented via the media presentationdevice 116 (block 1502). Example media input includes audio and/or videodistributed by the media distributor(s) 110 on one or more channelsand/or media streams. The example device meter 130 of FIG. 1 (e.g., viaa log generator 202) monitors the media during presentation of the mediaon the media presentation device 116 (block 1504). For example, thedevice meter 130 may monitor audio and/or video in the received media asthe media is presented.

The code matcher 216 of the example device meter 130 detects andtimestamps codes (e.g., watermarks) present in the received media (block1506). For example, the code matcher 216 may extract codes embedded inan audio channel of the received media that are used for audiencemeasurement. The code matcher 216 may detect multiple codes (e.g.,program media codes and/or non-program media codes) and/or multipleinstances of the same code(s) during a media presentation.

The signature generator 218 of the example device meter 130 generatesand timestamps signatures representative of the received media (block1508). For example, the signature generator 218 may repeatedly generatesignatures of the audio and/or video channels of the received media tocharacterize the media presentation, including program media andnon-program media present in the received media.

The cue tone identifier 222 of the example device meter 130 detects andtimestamps cue tone(s) present in the received media (block 1510). Forexample, the cue tone identifier 222 may monitor the primary and/orsecondary audio channels for cue tones and timestamp the occurrences ofcue tones in the audio channel(s) of the received media.

The blank frame identifier 224 of the example device meter 130 detectsand timestamps blank frames present in the received media (block 1512).For example, the blank frame identifier 224 may identify blank frames,blank frames, and/or any other frame(s) used to indicate or cue theinsertion of advertisements.

The logo identifier 226 of the example device meter 130 detects andtimestamps logo(s) present in the received media (block 1514). Forexample, the logo identifier 226 detects logos present in program mediaby detecting a portion of a video channel of the received media thatdoes not change for a threshold time. The example logo identifier 226timestamps the beginning and/or the end of the time range that the logois detected in the received media.

The log generator 202 of the example device meter 130 detects andtimestamps any other past, present, and/or future indicia of programmedia and/or non-program media that are present in the received media(block 1516). Examples of such indicia include future cue symbols forinsertion of non-program media and/or digitally transmitted messagesdemarcating and/or identifying program media and/or non-program media.

The example code matcher 216, the example signature generator 218, theexample cue tone identifier 222, the example blank frame identifier 224,the example logo identifier 226 and/or, more generally, the loggenerator 202 of the example device meter 130 stores the code(s),signature(s), blank frame(s), cue tone(s), logo(s), and/or miscellaneousindicia in a storage device with the corresponding timestamps (and/ortime ranges) (block 1518). The example code(s), signature(s), blankframe(s), cue tone(s), logo(s), and/or miscellaneous indicia, as well asthe timestamps and source information, may constitute a reference logsuch as the reference logs 300, 400 of FIGS. 3 and 4.

The example device meter 130 determines whether to report the storedmedia identifying information (block 1520). For example, the devicemeter 130 may report the stored media identifying informationperiodically (e.g., at designated intervals) and/or aperiodically (e.g.,on demand, when a threshold number of events have occurred, etc.). Ifthe device meter 130 is to report the stored media identifyinginformation (block 1520), the example device meter 130 transmits thestored media identifying information to the linear/non-linear mediaidentifier (block 1522). For example, the device meter 130 may use adata connection of the media presentation device 116 to transmit themedia identifying information to the linear/non-linear media identifier112 via the network 132 of FIG. 1. After transmitting the stored mediaidentifying information (block 1522), or if the device meter 130determines that it is not to report the stored media identifyinginformation (block 1520), control returns to block 1502 to continuereceiving media and generating media identifying information.

FIG. 16 is a block diagram of an example processor platform 1600 capableof executing the instructions of FIGS. 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14,and/or 15 to implement the linear/non-linear media identifier 112, theexample site meters 114, 115, the example media presentation devices116, 120, and/or the device meter 130 of FIGS. 1 and/or 2. The processorplatform 1600 can be, for example, a server, a personal computer, alaptop computer, a mobile device (e.g., a cell phone, a smart phone, atablet such as an iPad™), a personal digital assistant (PDA), anInternet appliance, or any other type of computing device.

The processor platform 1600 of the illustrated example includes aprocessor 1612. The processor 1612 of the illustrated example ishardware. For example, the processor 1612 can be implemented by one ormore integrated circuits, logic circuits, microprocessors or controllersfrom any desired family or manufacturer.

The processor 1612 of the illustrated example includes a local memory1613 (e.g., a cache). The processor 1612 of the illustrated example isin communication with a main memory including a volatile memory 1614 anda non-volatile memory 1616 via a bus 1618. The volatile memory 1614 maybe implemented by Synchronous Dynamic Random Access Memory (SDRAM),Dynamic Random Access Memory (DRAM), RAMBUS Dynamic Random Access Memory(RDRAM) and/or any other type of random access memory device. Thenon-volatile memory 1616 may be implemented by flash memory and/or anyother desired type of memory device. Access to the main memory 1614,1616 is controlled by a memory controller.

The processor platform 1600 of the illustrated example also includes aninterface circuit 1620. The interface circuit 1620 may be implemented byany type of interface standard, such as an Ethernet interface, auniversal serial bus (USB), and/or a PCI express interface.

In the illustrated example, one or more input devices 1622 are connectedto the interface circuit 1620. The input device(s) 1622 permit(s) a userto enter data and commands into the processor 1612. The input device(s)can be implemented by, for example, an audio sensor, a microphone, acamera (still or video), a keyboard, a button, a mouse, a touchscreen, atrack-pad, a trackball, isopoint and/or a voice recognition system.

One or more output devices 1624 are also connected to the interfacecircuit 1620 of the illustrated example. The output devices 1624 can beimplemented, for example, by display devices (e.g., a light emittingdiode (LED), an organic light emitting diode (OLED), a liquid crystaldisplay, a cathode ray tube display (CRT), a touchscreen, a tactileoutput device, a light emitting diode (LED), a printer and/or speakers).The interface circuit 1620 of the illustrated example, thus, typicallyincludes a graphics driver card, a graphics driver chip or a graphicsdriver processor.

The interface circuit 1620 of the illustrated example also includes acommunication device such as a transmitter, a receiver, a transceiver, amodem and/or network interface card to facilitate exchange of data withexternal machines (e.g., computing devices of any kind) via a network1626 (e.g., an Ethernet connection, a digital subscriber line (DSL), atelephone line, coaxial cable, a cellular telephone system, etc.).

The processor platform 1600 of the illustrated example also includes oneor more mass storage devices 1628 for storing software and/or data.Examples of such mass storage devices 1628 include floppy disk drives,hard drive disks, compact disk drives, Blu-ray disk drives, RAIDsystems, and digital versatile disk (DVD) drives.

The coded instructions 1632 of FIGS. 7-15 may be stored in the massstorage device 1628, in the volatile memory 1614, in the non-volatilememory 1616, and/or on a removable tangible computer readable storagemedium such as a CD or DVD.

Example systems, methods, and apparatus disclosed herein provide moreaccurate and/or more granular audience measurement information forlinear and non-linear media presentations by automatically classifyingmedia presentations as linear or non-linear instead of groupingpresentations together for measurement. By identifying mediapresentations as program media and/or non-program media, and thenmatching patterns or combinations of the program media and/ornon-program media from presentation logs with stored patterns orcombinations from reference logs, example systems, methods, andapparatus disclosed herein reduce or eliminate human intervention (and,thus, reduce costs and/or errors) to identify media presentations aslinear presentations and/or non-linear presentations.

Furthermore, example systems, methods, and apparatus disclosed hereinsignificantly reduce data storage capacities that may be required toperform manual linear and/or non-linear presentation identification. Forexample, example systems, methods, and apparatus reduce (e.g.,transform) monitored media to smaller, representative reference logs andpresentation logs (e.g., smaller files) for comparison, instead oftransmitting and/or storing the media files (e.g., audio and/or videodata, which is larger than a log or representative file) for manualidentification or comparison with other media.

Although certain example methods, apparatus and articles of manufacturehave been disclosed herein, the scope of coverage of this patent is notlimited thereto. On the contrary, this patent covers all methods,apparatus and articles of manufacture fairly falling within the scope ofthe claims of this patent.

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus to automatically determine whether amedia presentation is a linear media presentation or a non-linear mediapresentation, the apparatus comprising: one or more processors; andmemory including computer readable instructions which, when executed,cause the one or more processors to at least: obtain at least one of anaudio fingerprint or a watermark code generated by a media monitoringdevice electronically monitoring the media presentation of first media;identify first media identifiers of the first media from the at leastone of the audio fingerprint or the watermark code by comparing the atleast one of the audio fingerprint or the watermark code to a referenceaudio fingerprint or a reference watermark code; generate a mediapresentation log for the media presentation of the first media, themedia presentation log including first media identifiers of the firstmedia and first times at which the first media was presented; generate areference log including second media identifiers of second media andsecond times at which the second media was presented as a linear mediapresentation; compare the media presentation log to the reference log todetermine a duration associated with matches between ones of the firstmedia identifiers and ones of the second media identifiers, the matchesbetween the ones of the first media identifiers and the ones of thesecond media identifiers being in a same order in the media presentationlog and the reference log, the duration based on at least one of thefirst times or the second times; and classify the media presentation ofthe first media as a linear media presentation when the durationsatisfies a threshold.
 2. The apparatus as defined in claim 1, whereinthe computer readable instructions, when executed, further cause the oneor more processors to classify the media presentation of the first mediaas a non-linear media presentation when the duration does not satisfythe threshold.
 3. The apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein the firstmedia includes first program media and first non-program media, and thesecond media includes second program media and second non-program media.4. The apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein the media presentationlog includes an identification of a first portion of the first media asprogram media and a second portion of the first media as non-programmedia.
 5. The apparatus as defined in claim 4, wherein the mediapresentation log includes the identification of the first portion of thefirst media as program media in response to a code present in the firstportion of the first media matching a reference code associated withreference program media.
 6. The apparatus as defined in claim 4, whereinthe media presentation log includes the identification of the firstportion of the first media as program media in response to a signaturegenerated based on the first portion of the first media matching areference signature associated with reference program media.
 7. Theapparatus as defined in claim 4, wherein the media presentation logincludes the identification of the second portion of the first media asnon-program media in response to presentation of the second portion ofthe first media following a blank frame present in the first media. 8.The apparatus as defined in claim 4, wherein the media presentation logincludes the identification of the second portion of the first media asnon-program media in response to presentation of the second portion ofthe first media following a cue tone present in the first media.
 9. Theapparatus as defined in claim 4, wherein the media presentation logincludes the identification of the first portion of the first media asprogram media in response to detection of a logo in the first portion ofthe first media.
 10. The apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein theaudio fingerprint is based on an audio characteristic of the first mediaelectronically measured at discrete times by the media monitoringdevice.
 11. An apparatus to automatically determine whether a mediapresentation is a linear media presentation or a non-linear mediapresentation, the apparatus comprising: one or more processors; andmemory including computer readable instructions which, when executed,cause the one or more processors to at least: obtain at least one of anaudio fingerprint or a watermark code generated by a media monitoringdevice electronically monitoring the media presentation of first media;identify first media identifiers of the first media from the at leastone of the audio fingerprint or the watermark code by comparing the atleast one of the audio fingerprint or the watermark code to a referenceaudio fingerprint or a reference watermark code; generate a mediapresentation log for the media presentation of the first media, themedia presentation log including first media identifiers of the firstmedia and first times at which the first media was presented; generate areference log including second media identifiers of second media andsecond times at which the second media was presented as a linear mediapresentation; compare the media presentation log to the reference log todetermine a number of matches between ones of the first mediaidentifiers and ones of the second media identifiers, the matchesbetween the ones of the first media identifiers and the ones of thesecond media identifiers being in a same order in the media presentationlog and the reference log; and classify the media presentation of thefirst media as a linear media presentation when the number of matchessatisfies a threshold.
 12. The apparatus as defined in claim 11, whereinthe computer readable instructions, when executed, further cause the oneor more processors to classify the media presentation of the first mediaas a non-linear media presentation when the number of matches does notsatisfy the threshold.
 13. The apparatus as defined in claim 11, whereinthe first media includes first program media and first non-programmedia, and the second media includes second program media and secondnon-program media.
 14. The apparatus as defined in claim 11, wherein themedia presentation log includes an identification of a first portion ofthe first media as program media and a second portion of the first mediaas non-program media.
 15. The apparatus as defined in claim 14, whereinthe media presentation log includes the identification of the firstportion of the first media as program media in response to a codepresent in the first portion of the first media matching a referencecode associated with reference program media.
 16. The apparatus asdefined in claim 14, wherein the media presentation log includes theidentification of the first portion of the first media as program mediain response to a signature generated based on the first portion of thefirst media matching a reference signature associated with referenceprogram media.
 17. The apparatus as defined in claim 14, wherein themedia presentation log includes the identification of the second portionof the first media as non-program media in response to presentation ofthe second portion of the first media following a blank frame present inthe first media.
 18. The apparatus defined in claim 14, wherein themedia presentation log includes the identification of the second portionof the first media as non-program media in response to presentation ofthe second portion of the first media following a cue tone present inthe first media.
 19. The apparatus as defined in claim 14, wherein themedia presentation log includes the identification of the first portionof the first media as program media in response to detection of a logoin the first portion of the first media.
 20. The apparatus as defined inclaim 11, wherein the audio fingerprint is based on an audiocharacteristic of the first media electronically measured at discretetimes by the media monitoring device.